75 Years of Auto Mechanics

1968 Chrysler

In 1948 the Salt Lake Area Vocational School (SLAV) opened its doors to students for the first time, offering a handful of programs, including automobile mechanics. The classrooms at SLAV were designed to simulate the industrial shops at the time in Salt Lake Valley to meet industry standards. The automobile mechanics program was designed as a two-year pre-apprentice program to meet passenger cars and small trucks' essential maintenance and repair principles.

Project cars were introduced to the auto mechanic program in 1955, providing students in the various auto mechanic areas with hands-on experience working on a car. The project car consisted of the school purchasing a car that was declared a total loss, and students worked to restore it to the car close to its original condition mechanically possible to do. The project car was discontinued at the end of the 1973-74 school year due to inflation and the increased cost of auto parts.

By the 20th anniversary of the College, under a new name of Utah Technical College at Salt Lake (UTC-SL), the program became eligible for Associates of Applied Science (AAS). This meant that those students who went through the program were no longer earning a certificate, but a substantial degree upon completion.

Dennis O'Reilly, associate professor of Auto Mechanics, mentions the extensive evolution of the auto mechanics program has gone through over the years. "I obtained my AAS degree from SLCC back in 1978. The cars and technology we had back then are completely different from the current one," says Dennis. "Our program is designed to teach our students not only mechanics but to be excellent learners, as we are in an ever-evolving industry where adapting and learning is required to stay up-to-date, because what I am teaching today may not be applicable in five to ten years from today."

Associate Professor Dennis O'Reilly With His Students

By the year 2022, the majority of the automotive courses moved to Salt Lake Technical College.

Comments

Rev Up Your Future at SLCC Annuals Hop into College

SLCC West Valley Center will be opening its doors on Friday, August 2, from 6-9 pm for their annual lowrider event that celebrates the automotive culture and welcomes current, past, and future Bruins into the SLCC community. This unique event allows lowriders to showcase their vehicles and for spectators to witness the creativity, craftsmanship, and passion that goes into a lowrider car. From the sleek custom paint jobs to the impressive hydraulics showcased at the hop-off, attendees get immersed in the vibrant culture created by SLCC West Valley’s community. Beyond the car show, Hop into College provides prospective students and their families the opportunity to explore SLCC, engage with their future peers, staff and faculty and obtain valuable insight into the degrees and programs offered. Furthermore, the community is provided with countless beneficial resources not only as an SLCC student but as a community member. Whether interested in learning more about the lowrider community o...

The Center for Prior Learning Receives an Honorable Mention

Today, SLCC's Credit for Prior Learning department received an Honorable Mention from the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL ) and the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education for its intentional approach and for expanding student options to receive credit for prior learning. Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) allows students to obtain college credit for knowledge and skills acquired outside of the traditional academic environment. This is exceptionally beneficial for adult learners, who, according to CAEL, have a 17% higher chance of graduating compared to those adults who don’t earn credits through prior learning programs. The CPL department at SLCC was created in 2020 and since then the volume of students served has grown as the department continues to expand. To be eligible for CPL, students must be working towards a degree, certificate, or apprenticeship. Director of Credit for Prior Learning at SLCC, Andrea Tipton, mentioned fee...

Board of Higher Ed names Gregory F. Peterson 9th SLCC President

The Utah Board of Higher Education unanimously selected Gregory F. Peterson, Ed.D., as the ninth president of Salt Lake Community College today, following an extensive national search. Peterson will assume the position on July 1, 2024, and succeeds Deneece G. Huftalin, who served as president from 2014-2024. “I’m humbled by the opportunity to serve as Salt Lake Community College’s next president, and I look forward to reinforcing SLCC’s commitment to providing educational pathways for transfer and workforce that improve the lives of every member of our community,” Peterson said. “SLCC has an amazing future ahead, and I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of that journey.” As part of its delegated duties and responsibilities, the SLCC Board of Trustees named an 11-member committee in December 2023 to conduct a national search for the next president of SLCC. The committee is composed of representatives from the Utah Board of Higher Education and SLCC trustees, facul...

Official SLCC Blog

Search This Blog